The Silent Heir

After the Signature

Soon, they walked out of the marriage bureau, the red booklet still fresh in hand, the ink barely dry on something that had already been defined before it even began.

Zora stopped just outside, her heels clicking lightly against the tiled floor as she turned to face him again, her expression composed but distant, like she was addressing a formality she had no interest in.

“Let me remind you again,” she said, her tone flat. “This marriage is only in name. Don’t expect anything from me.”

Rowan looked at her, calm as always, a faint smile touching his lips.

“I heard you the first time,” he replied. “You don’t have to worry about me disturbing you.”

Zora studied him for a second, like she was trying to see if there was anything behind that calm response, but there was nothing obvious. No resistance or hidden intent. Just… acceptance.

She didn’t press further.

“Give me your number,” she said.

Rowan did without hesitation.

She saved it, didn’t say anything more, then turned, got into her car, and left without another word, her departure as clean as her arrival.

Rowan stood there for a moment, watching the car disappear before taking out his phone, ready to call his assistant.

Before he could dial, his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen.

Ella.

Rowan smiled faintly cause she knew why his ex-wife was calling, but then he ended the call without hesitation or a second thought.

He tapped twice and blocked the number cleanly.

Just as he was about to proceed, the phone rang again.

He looked and it was her mother.

Rowan let out a quiet breath and then ended it before he blocked it.

“Bad timing,” he muttered lightly, slipping the phone back into his hand like he was already bored of it.

A third call came in.

This time, it was her younger brother.

Rowan paused for a second and then he answered.

The moment the line connected, a sharp, loud voice came through, almost shouting through the phone.

“Where the hell are you?!”

It was his ex-mother-in-law.

There was no greeting or restraint. She still sees him as that tolerant submissive husband who takes every shout and insult with a smile.

“Get over here right now!” she snapped. “She’s in pain! Her legs are acting up again, she can’t even stand properly!”

Her voice grew harsher.

“You useless thing, didn’t you say you knew how to treat her? Come back and give her a massage immediately!”

Rowan didn’t interrupt or react.

He simply held the phone to his ear, listening quietly as she went on, her tone filled with urgency mixed with command, like she was ordering a servant back to duty.

“And don’t waste time!” she added sharply. “If anything happens to her, you won’t be able to take responsibility!”

The line went silent for a second after her outburst.

Rowan’s expression didn’t change and his voice came out low and calm.

“Finished?”

There was a brief pause on the other end, like she didn’t expect that response and Rowan’s lips curved slightly.

“Have you lost your mind?!” she snapped. “Do you even know how much pain she’s in right now? She can’t even stand! And you’re asking if I’m finished?!”

Rowan let out a low laugh, faintly amused.

“Then tell her lover,” he said calmly, his tone smooth and steady, “to do it for her.”

There was a pause on the other end, like she didn’t expect that answer.

Rowan didn’t wait, he ended the call and blocked the number again cleanly with no hesitation.

With a sigh, Rowan called his assistant, his voice calm as he gave the location and ended the call. He didn’t wait long. Soon, a car pulled up and the assistant stepped out quickly, a bit rushed, his expression apologetic.

“Sorry, sir. I’m late.”

Rowan waved it off lightly like it didn’t matter, his attention already elsewhere. He handed his phone over without explanation.

“Handle unknown numbers,” he said.

The assistant took it immediately, waiting.

Rowan spoke in a low, steady tone, clear and precise. “Don’t block everything. Just isolate that family. Their numbers, their known contacts, any lines tied to them… flag and shut them down.”

The assistant nodded, already understanding.

“If they try calling from new numbers,” Rowan continued, “trace the pattern. Match voice, routing, frequency. Once it links back to them, cut it.”

“Understood.”

“I don’t want noise,” Rowan added. “If it’s them, it doesn’t reach me. If it’s not, let it pass.”

“Yes, sir.”

Rowan’s gaze shifted slightly, his tone turning colder.

“Next,” he said, “start digging into my father’s mistress. And her son.”

The assistant’s expression sharpened. “What direction should I take?”

Rowan didn’t rush his answer.

“The accident,” he said. “I don’t believe it was clean.”

There was a brief pause.

“It's too convenient,” Rowan continued. “The timing, the outcome, who benefits… it all lines up too neatly.”

The assistant nodded slowly. “I’ll pull traffic records, surveillance feeds, vehicle data, insurance filings… anything that doesn’t add up.”

Rowan gave a small nod.

“And don’t just look at the surface,” he added. “Follow the money. If it was planned, there will be movement somewhere. Payments, pressure, something out of place.”

“Understood.”

Rowan’s eyes lowered slightly before he spoke again.

“And my mother’s death.”

The assistant looked at him carefully.

“That case was closed years ago,” he said.

Rowan’s expression didn’t change.

“Closed doesn’t mean correct,” he replied calmly. “At the time, I didn’t question it. Now I can.”

He paused briefly.

“There were gaps,” he added. “Details that didn’t connect. I ignored them then.”

His gaze lifted slightly.

“I won’t ignore them now.”

The assistant nodded firmly. “I’ll reopen everything. Medical records, timelines, witness accounts… even suppressed reports if needed.”

Rowan gave a small nod.

“Keep it quiet,” he said.

“Yes, sir.”

Rowan’s attention shifted past him and in the distance, a car was approaching.

He recognized it immediately.

“Go,” he said simply.

The assistant didn’t waste time. He stepped back, returned to the car, and drove off.

Rowan stayed where he was, his posture relaxed, his expression calm as he watched the approaching vehicle slow to a stop in front of him.